Katal Center for Equity, Health, & Justice
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Katal Center for Equity, Health, & Justice
@katalcenter.org
Katal develops intergenerational leadership and organizing capacity to build community-based power and win systemic change for equity, health, and justice. katalcenter.org Brooklyn, NY

Take action with us here: https://linktr.ee/katalcenter
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Gov. Hochul Signs Jail + Prison Oversight Omnibus Bill, Which Includes Overhauling State Commission on Correction

Coalition of More Than 160 Community, Advocacy, and Faith-based Organizations Across NY Fought for this Victory

Here's the press release:
Governor Kathy Hochul Signs Into Law the Jail and Prison Oversight Omnibus Bill, - Katal Center
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Friday, December 19th, 2025 Contact: Yonah Zeitz: yonah@katalcenter.org • 347-201-2769 Follow on socials @KatalCenter • #ShutRikers
katalcenter.org
Join us for today’s #NYCJReformCall at noon!

We'll hear from:
◾Artie Malkin, Malkin & Ross
◾Cassandra Bocanegra, @thenyic.bsky.social
◾Casey Dalporto, New York County Defender Services
◾Soraya Shri-Pathman, @aqeny.bsky.social
and more!

RSVP: katal.info/newyork
February 12, 2026 at 3:11 PM
Join us tomorrow, February 12th at 12pm for our monthly NY Criminal Justice Reform Call.

RSVP here: katal.info/newyork

On tomorrow call, we'll hear from organizers & advocates from across NY leading campaigns to end torture in state prisons, protect immigrant New Yorkers, and more! #NYCJReformCall
February 11, 2026 at 7:51 PM
Incarcerated youth deserve stable, safe, & humane living conditions!

New in @gothamist.com: "Hundreds of lawsuits accusing NYC of failing to protect children from sexual abuse in its juvenile detention centers are moving forward again after months of legal limbo."

gothamist.com/news/hundred...
Hundreds of sex abuse lawsuits against NYC ready to move forward after months in limbo
The suits target the city's juvenile justice system, where accusers say the city failed to protect them from abuse.
gothamist.com
February 10, 2026 at 5:09 PM
ICE officials under a judge’s order to clean up squalid conditions on the 10th floor of 26 Federal Plaza detained migrants on a secret floor where they decided that ruling didn’t apply, attorneys for the Trump administration said Monday.

www.thecity.nyc/2026/02/09/2...
ICE Moved Detainees to Previously Undisclosed Floor of 26 Federal Plaza
A federal judge ordered the Trump administration to reduce overcrowding and squalid conditions at a Manhattan holding room. Months later, he finds ICE merely shifted floors.
www.thecity.nyc
February 10, 2026 at 4:25 PM
Reposted by Katal Center for Equity, Health, & Justice
BREAKING: ~10,500 NYSNA nurses at Montefiore, Mount Sinai, & Mount Sinai Morningside/West reached tentative agreements late Sun/early Mon.

Nurses won: enforceable safe staffing, maintain their health benefits, workplace violence protections, and more!

www.nysna.org/press/victor...
February 9, 2026 at 4:02 PM
Yesterday, A federal judge upheld the claims of the NY state denial of due process for incarcerated people at Rikers. #ShutRikers

The Office of Mental Health refused to accept incarcerated people for treatment, leaving in limbo up to 100 people on any given day.

www.amny.com/law/lawsuit-...
Lawsuit brought by mentally ill Rikers detainees survives motion to dismiss | amNewYork
A federal judge on Thursday kept alive claims that state health officials violated the due process rights of Rikers Island jail detainees who’ve been declared
www.amny.com
February 6, 2026 at 3:43 PM
A social worker at Rikers in 2024 came forward accusing CO's for isolating severely mentally ill men in their cells for weeks to even months in a process known as “deadlocking.” #ShutRikers

450 days later and the investigation remains open with no end in sight.

www.thecity.nyc/2026/02/05/r...
NYC’s Investigation Into Rikers ‘Deadlocking’ Drags on for More than 450 Days
A probe into a whistleblower’s accusations has stretched past a year as questions linger over solitary-like confinement inside city jails.
www.thecity.nyc
February 5, 2026 at 10:17 PM
New in @nysfocus.bsky.social : "‘I’m a Human Rights Violator’: Staff at Youth Prison Recount Lockdowns, Turmoil, 24-Hour Shifts"

A yearslong staffing crisis at state-run facilities has taken its toll on incarcerated kids and the workers who watch over them.

nysfocus.com/2026/02/04/o...
Staff at Youth Prison Recount Lockdowns, Turmoil, 24-Hour Shifts
A yearslong staffing crisis at state-run facilities has taken its toll on incarcerated kids and the workers who watch over them.
nysfocus.com
February 5, 2026 at 10:12 PM
Check out our most recent bi-weekly New York Update.

Here's what's included:
◾ICE Out, Solidarity with Minnesota!
◾Remediation Manager Must Advance the Closure of Rikers
◾February Statewide Criminal Justice Reform Call
and more!

katalcenter.org/2026/01/kata...
Katal New York Update - January 29, 2026 - Katal Center
In this issue: - ICE Out, Solidarity with Minnesota -Remediation Manager Must Advance the Closure of Rikers -NY Statewide Criminal Justice Reform Call
katalcenter.org
February 4, 2026 at 10:23 PM
Reposted by Katal Center for Equity, Health, & Justice
Today we celebrate Rosa Parks, a civil rights icon whose bravery helped reshape American history. Parks’ strength reminds us that change doesn’t just require courage, but for all of us to be unwavering in our efforts to secure justice.
February 4, 2026 at 1:30 PM
Reposted by Katal Center for Equity, Health, & Justice
🚨 STATEMENT: Governor Hochul Takes Vital Steps Towards Protecting Immigrant NYers, Advocates Urge Further Action

“We must center the safety and rights of immigrant families and the state must do everything in its power to protect all New Yorkers." @heyitsmurad.bsky.social
January 30, 2026 at 6:44 PM
Reposted by Katal Center for Equity, Health, & Justice
We commend the NYC Council for overriding Mayor Adams’ veto and strengthening our sanctuary laws. 🗽

This is what protecting immigrant communities looks like.

https://brooklyneagle.com/365554/council-locks-ice-out-of-rikers-overriding-adams/
Council locks ICE out of Rikers after overriding Adams’ veto
The NYC Council overrode Mayor Adams’ veto to bar ICE from operating on Rikers Island, strengthening the city’s sanctuary laws.
brooklyneagle.com
February 3, 2026 at 3:38 PM
We welcome @governor.ny.gov’s
legislation barring local law enforcement from assisting in fed immigration enforcement, but let’s be clear: New York for All would be the only legislation to accomplish this.

Even with the Gov’s ban, ICE can still informally collaborate w/ local law enforcement. 🧵
February 3, 2026 at 3:16 PM
"More than two years after city jail officials cut off nonprofit-led social services at Rikers Island, several organizations are set to return this month to provide new programming inside the troubled jail complex". #ShutRikers

queenseagle.com/all/2026/1/3...
After controversial cuts, nonprofits to return to Rikers Island — Queens Daily Eagle
More than two years after city jail officials cut off nonprofit-led social services at Rikers Island, several organizations are set to return this month to provide new programming inside the troubled ...
queenseagle.com
February 3, 2026 at 3:09 PM
We’re in Foley Square with thousands of New Yorkers to say: ICE OUT!

Minnesota showed us the way: now is the time for us to stand up and fight back. There is no business as usual as ICE terrorizes our communities. ICE OUT OF EVERYWHERE!
January 30, 2026 at 9:28 PM
What's happening in Minnesota is alarming to all of us who value liberty, justice, & democracy.

To continue our solidarity with Minneapolis, yesterday we joined VA nurses and federal workers for a candlelight vigil for Alex Pretti, Renee Nicole Good and the many others killed by ICE.

#ICEoutNY
January 30, 2026 at 4:44 PM
Reposted by Katal Center for Equity, Health, & Justice
More children, along with their parents, were allegedly detained by ICE on Wednesday, this time at North Pointe Apartments in Clifton Park. Advocates say they entered without a warrant.
ICE enters Clifton Park apartment, detains 2 adults, 3 children, advocates say
More children, along with their parents, were allegedly detained by ICE on Wednesday, this time at North Pointe Apartments in Clifton Park. Advocates say they entered without a warrant.
bit.ly
January 29, 2026 at 11:30 PM
Join us tomorrow, Thursday, January 29 at 5pm for a candlelight vigil for Alex Pretti!

In solidarity with Minneapolis, we're joining VA nurses and federal workers and gather on the sidewalk in front of the Manhattan VA and light some candles

RSVP here: katal.info/VigilforAlexPretti
January 28, 2026 at 9:48 PM
RELEASE: Today, Judge Swain appointed Nicholas Deml as a remediation manager to take control of Rikers to address violence & dysfunction. He must immediately address the crisis in city jails & advance the closure of Rikers. #ShutRikers

See our statement: katalcenter.org/2026/01/fede...
Federal Court Appoints Nicholas Deml as a Remediation Manager to Take Over Rikers Island to Address Violence and Dysfunction - Katal Center
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Tuesday, January 27, 2027 Contact: Contact: Yonah Zeitz | 347-201-2768 |  yonah@katalcenter.org  Follow on BlueSky
katalcenter.org
January 27, 2026 at 9:45 PM
"Jail watchdogs found that correctional officers and medical staff on Rikers Island abandoned their posts and failed to check in on suicidal incarcerated people in the lead up to a number of deaths in the dangerous jail complex last year." #ShutRikers

queenseagle.com/all/2026/1/2...
Board of Correction details lapses before Rikers deaths — Queens Daily Eagle
Jail watchdogs found that correctional officers and medical staff on Rikers Island abandoned their posts and failed to check in on suicidal detainees in the lead up to a number of deaths in the danger...
queenseagle.com
January 27, 2026 at 4:46 PM
"Nine months after the prison guard strike, incarcerated people are being denied early release after not completing programming that they don’t have access to."

Please read this important investigation from @nysfocus.bsky.social.

nysfocus.com/2026/01/26/d...
The Catch-22 Keeping New Yorkers Stuck in Prison
Nine months after the prison guard strike, incarcerated people are being denied early release after not completing programming that they don’t have access…
nysfocus.com
January 26, 2026 at 10:03 PM
HAPPENING NOW:

We’re marching at the ICE Out For Good Rally!

We stand in solidarity with organizers on the ground in Minnesota in for a national “Day of Truth and Freedom” as they face ruthless ICE violence & occupation!

#ICEOut
January 23, 2026 at 9:57 PM
Reposted by Katal Center for Equity, Health, & Justice
BREAKING: students from across NYC just walked out of their schools in solidarity with the people of Minneapolis and rallied at Washington Square park to to demand a free America: free from ICE aka slave patrols 2.0 and free from white supremacy.
January 23, 2026 at 7:16 PM